Job Discussion Forums

[escapee]

I am talking to Bahwan Cybertek about the possibility of coming to Oman
(most likely to Higher Colleges Sohar) Any information from teachers there would be appreciated. Pay and conditions ? Classes? Accommodation ? Things to do ? etc. Do let me know. Thanks.

[veiledsentiments]

I assume that you searched and read the previous threads on this agent? and the various colleges in this contract. Even if the information is a year or two old, don't expect much improvement...

VS

[escapee]

thanks. Yes, I've read the previous comments but am more interested in current details for teachers who are actully there now. I am under no illusion having had 10+ years in the region already

[veiledsentiments]

With only 1 post, one doesn't know how much of a newbie you are.

VS

[dmb]

Naughty VS. don't equate number of posts with age.... for exampleI am only 21

[escapee]

Very helpful ! Thank you.

[veiledsentiments]

If you have read here awhile, you know that dmb is one of our resident comedians... (he is really 39...)

In case you get no responses, I assume that you have read this thread which actually brings you to the previous semester... any changes are probably on the downhill there based on the SOP.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=40807&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=bahwan

[lall]

escapee wrote, "thanks. Yes, I've read the previous comments but am more interested in current details for teachers who are actully there now. I am under no illusion having had 10+ years in the region already"

Is it likely that you are a technical hand, now planning a foray into teaching?

Allasame, best of luck!

lall

[veiledsentiments]

Perhaps he hadn't read to the end of that thread and didn't realize that it had been updated in October... which is not exactly ancient history for this part of the world...

I believe that there is even more current stuff mixed in with other Ministry threads. Plus some very current stuff on Sohar...

Since no one seems to be updating to the moment for him...

VS

[Hsinchuguy]

I am , soon to be, a former employee of BCT so perhaps I can help.

They will tell you whatever they think you want to hear in order to get you here. Why? Because they're hard up for teachers. Why are they hard up for teachers well into the second term of the school year? Because so many teachers formerly employed by them have bailed. Why have so many teachers left? Because they were so unhappy with BCT.

Trust me, give them a miss. You're better off with another agency. PM me if you want any more detail.

good luck

[kuberkat]

Hsinchuguy, sad to hear you are leaving when you've hardly unpacked. Like so many others.

I guess I have to mind my step here, but I do notice that there seems to be much confusion on this board about who, exactly, is to blame when things go wrong.

In terms of contractual obligations, that is, of course, in the hands of the agents. As Hsinchuguy says, they are desperate to hire. IMHO this is their downfall. As I have posted elsewhere, the agencies do not seem to care whether their hires are experienced, professional, diligent, suited to Oman's situation or even entirely compos mentis. (I am not denying that this may have been to my benefit ). Many new hires are unsuitable, because the hiring criteria are so slack. Small wonder so many of them leave, no?

When it comes to the work environment, though, other factors come into play. The ministerial colleges are run by a bureacracy in a galaxy far, far away. Like in any bureacracy, there are enormous communication breakdowns and inefficiencies. But there is also the fact that cultural views of trivial little things like, er, time, are viewed very differently by many of our colleagues in these colleges. This can lead to levels of professional malaise that are positively surreal.

Survival mantras? Play the system. Make anarchy work for you. There's a bestseller in there somewhere. Today my students learnt something.

I guess the brutal truth is that this is no environment for a self-respecting professional, which is why few of us hang around for long. But X marks the spot, and that is where we are now. It is a good perch to look out for what comes next. And make it BIG.

[kuberkat]

If I went a bit off topic there, my answer to escapee is this: Working in a ministerial college can be bearable to great if you have a very good reason to be in Oman: learning Arabic, exploring unique ecosystems, knitting the world's longest scarf, cycling from Salalah to the Musandam...
Know your reason and hold on tight.

Do not expect an efficient working environment. Do not expect a professional or well-equipped working environment. Do not expect a flexible contract. Do not expect a vibrant social life. If you get any of these, know that you are either very, very lucky or marginally delusional.

Absolutely not for the faint of heart, no matter who you sign your contract with.

[HippieGirl]

I am currently working in Oman for Bahwan. My collegues and I have had nothing but trouble from the start. It is not just Bahwan, but also the college. As mentioned before, this may be the case throughout Oman. However, if you expect a professional or even organized work environment...forget it!

I am simply staying here to get some money and then I will head home or maybe somewhere else. I have completely stopped trying to contact Bahwan or to get anything done. It is that bad. I also feel that the college administration is right up there on the same level.

If you want any more specific details, feel free to ask, but my advice is to save yourself a lot of headache and frustration and find another job!

[lall]

What's the procedure for putting in one's papers?

Particularly if one thinks of doing so within a short while after joining?

The grounds are health grounds, because the facilities available in the towns where the colleges are located are inadequate, whilst getting an appointment in the University Hospital is next to impossible, especially if treatment needs to be availed of, in an emergency.

Kindly advise.

[veiledsentiments]

What does "putting in ones papers" mean? What papers? to whom? for what?

Are you saying how quickly can you resign?

VS